Modified-output fiber optic tips

Abstract

A laser handpiece is disclosed, including a shaped fiber optic tip having a side-firing output end with a non-cylindrical shape. The shaped fiber optic tip can be configured to side-fire laser energy in a direction away from a laser handpiece and toward sidewalls of a treatment or target site.

1 . A laser handpiece, comprising:
 a shaped, fiber-bearing tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the shaped tip being constructed to deliver electromagnetic radiation supplied from a source of electromagnetic radiation to a vicinity outside of the shaped tip and the shaped tip having an interior coupled to a source of positive or distally directed pressure to provide pressure to the interior of the shaped tip, wherein the electromagnetic radiation and the positive pressure are emitted to the vicinity with the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength and energy distribution suitable for cutting or ablating one or more of hard tissue and soft tissue, wherein a spatial energy distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the shaped tip has an energy peak in an area other than along the longitudinal axis of the shaped tip; and   a source of negative or proximally directed pressure coupled to the shaped tip.   
     
     
         2 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the source of negative pressure routes cooling air. 
     
     
         3 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 1 , the source of positive pressure being coupled to deliver fluid along a path to a vicinity of the shaped tip, the path being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaped tip. 
     
     
         4 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the source of positive pressure and the path are configured to deliver the fluid to the shaped tip as atomized fluid particles. 
     
     
         5 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the shaped tip has a side-firing output end with a non-cylindrical shape; and   the source of positive pressure is coupled to the side-firing output end.   
     
     
         6 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the source of positive or negative pressure is constructed to direct fluid to the shaped tip. 
     
     
         7 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the source of pressure and the path are structured to place the atomized fluid particles into a volume in close proximity to the output end; and
 the laser handpiece is constructed to deliver electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy source into the atomized fluid particles in the volume to thereby expand the atomized fluid particles in such a way that when the volume is placed next to a target surface disruptive forces are imparted onto the target surface.   
     
     
         8 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the fluid particles comprise water. 
     
     
         9 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the target surface comprises tooth tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the electromagnetic energy source comprises one of a wavelength within a range from about 2.69 to about 2.80 microns and a wavelength of about 2.94 microns. 
     
     
         11 . The laser handpiece as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the electromagnetic energy source comprises one of an Er:YAG, an Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser. 
     
     
         12 . A laser handpiece, comprising:
 a shaped fiber-bearing tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the shaped tip having a side-firing output end with a non-cylindrical shape, a majority of a spatial distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the side-firing output end not being along the longitudinal axis of the shaped tip and the electromagnetic radiation being emitted with a wavelength and energy distribution suitable for cutting and ablating hard tissue; and   a source of positive pressure structured to place atomized fluid particles comprising water into a volume in close proximity to the side-firing output end, the laser handpiece being constructed to deliver electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy source into the atomized fluid particles in the volume to thereby expand the atomized fluid particles, whereby positioning of the volume next to a target results in disruptive forces being imparted to the target.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the target comprises tooth tissue. 
     
     
         14 . A laser handpiece, comprising:
 a shaped fiber-bearing tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the shaped tip having a side-firing output end with a non-cylindrical shape, a majority of a spatial distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the side-firing output end not being along the longitudinal axis of the shaped tip and the electromagnetic radiation being emitted with an energy distribution suitable for cutting and ablating hard tissue and one of a wavelength within a range from about 2.69 to about 2.80 microns and a wavelength of about 2.94 microns; and   a source of positive pressure structured to place atomized fluid particles into a volume in close proximity to the side-firing output end, the laser handpiece being constructed to deliver electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy source into the atomized fluid particles in the volume to thereby expand the atomized fluid particles, whereby positioning of the volume next to a target results in disruptive forces being imparted to the target.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the electromagnetic energy source comprises one of an Er:YAG, an Er:YSGG, an Er, Cr:YSGG and a CTE:YAG laser.